Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah, or hello if don't celebrate!

A little early, but here is an update for my end of the month dump!

There may be another update for this coming as a I expect to have another chapter of this and Tales of Fox and Cat finished soon.

Hope you enjoy!


"Holy crap! Who the hell are you?" A young man with silver hair screamed, haphazardly hopping on a single leg, cradling his other broken leg to his sternum.

His seething gaze then turned on a spiky-haired blonde who stood before him, tilting his head at him owlishly, looking amused at the sight.

He wished this fight had been going better, but his partner's blades were snapped in half in a matter of seconds in their first assault when he snuck up behind them.

This guy then proceeded to knock them around the street for the better part of a short scrum to the common eye. To them, they took several strikes that bounced them across the street several times. His movements were so swift they were left unable to counter!

He left them breathless as his strikes were so heavy it felt like boulders landing on their bodies, and their aura was already crackling from the blows. Unable to handle the stress!

And when he proceeded to mock them by asking them to explain why they held such intent, he finally gave them the first chance to strike.

He took it!

Only for his leg to pay the price for it!

"No better yet! What are you? And what are you made of!" He barked before a metallic snap resounded through the street.

"Um, name is Uzumaki Naruto…" The clone of Naruto wiped a smudge off his cheek, annoyed there was a boot print on his face, however outwardly giving the impression he was amused watching his silver-haired opponent reset what he assumed to be a prosthetic leg.

It would typically be amusing if he hadn't landed a blow, insignificant as it was. His jaw would have stung at most from the boot regardless, but that wasn't the problem.

What mattered was that he had taken a moment to try and gather natural chakra…

And there was something inherently wrong when he did.

The clone felt there was something wrong with this area. The balance in this area was askew, and it took just a moment longer for him to draw the energy than it should have. It caused him to be struck.

Was it because there was an issue with the city? Was that why it had such a foul stench here, and the air quality was horrible? Was there something overall wrong with the planet of Remnant in general?

Answers were necessary, and this information would have to be noted and knowledge passed on…

His eyes narrowed.

A foggy haze clouded his mind.

A foreign presence was entering his system? It felt like the strange energy everyone used here was similar to chakra but slightly different…

That dark-skinned girl wasn't moving and making very deliberate eye contact. Was she…

Casting an illusion?

Feeling the pulse of Kurama's chakra through his system, he made eye contact with the ruby-eyed woman, tilting his head with a wide grin. "I am made of tougher stuff than most. So if you would kindly stop resisting? Boss has things he wants, and he really wants to know why you were trying to ambush his friends. Otherwise…"

"I'm going to have to get rough with ya. Trust me, ya don't want that." His voice lowered an octave, his face straightened, and his orange eyes gleamed with intent.

The emerald-haired woman was left breathless with such pressure placed upon her, shuddering as their eyes made contact only to watch them shift to cerulean hues, yet the pressure somehow became more intense.

He knew she was aware he broke her illusion. His message was delivered succinctly.

This was not a fight.

He would get what he wanted from them whether they wanted to give it or not.

It was whether they gave it willingly…

Her gaze hitched. Her vision swirled around her.

Was she being caught in an illusion?

Did he have an ability to mimic others?

No, this wasn't…

This was Aura… Raw potent Aura.

It was an ocean! A crimson ocean, and she was drawn into it! How?

Was it when she tried to catch and manipulate him with his Semblance? Was that his…

She needed to escape! But she was being swallowed by this crimson ocean!

It was burning her with its blistering intensity!

And what was this?

A maw was forming? The maw of a fox? Laughing maniacally at her?

Emerald screamed in terror. Waves of the Aura swallowed her. Pulling her beneath the waves…

Dragging her head beneath…

A golden light dissipated the Aura, sweeping it aside.

She could finally breathe! But where was the fox? Where was…

Emerald gasped, her eyes darting all around until they rested into a cerulean gaze. And to her horror…

They shifted crimson…

She recognized the message.

And shuddered in horror.

"You seem to know already, so cut the shit!" Mercury snapped at the clone of Naruto bitterly, gingerly planting his leg on the ground before venomously glaring at the blonde, glancing over at Emerald, and cursed.

She was petrified to the spot. He had expected her to use her Semblance so they could get away. This fight was already unwinnable, and they just needed to escape. However, if she was acting like…

And with the message he gave, directed toward her…

He was aware of her ability.

He was somehow immune to it.

Lovely.

Their luck recently had been horrible.

Cinder dying.

Being captured and conscripted into that demon's services.

Realizing they were already in her services…

Now this…

What else could go wrong?

"What…" Emerald's voice trembled, looking unsure of herself as she glanced at the blonde ominously looming before them. "Do you want to know? We're willing to negotiate… On some terms."

"Em?" Mercury hesitantly gazed at his partner, worried at what was happening. "What are you doing? We're already in…"

"I'm more than aware!" Emerald snapped, gnashing her teeth, focusing steadily on the clone. "I never expected any of this when Cinder took me in! I followed her loyally, and now look at where we are!"

"Okay, I see where you are going. And I can't say…"

"Shut up and follow my lead!" Emerald bitterly cut him off, causing Mercury to scowl as she stepped toward Naruto, holding her arms up, showing she had surrendered. "We're turning ourselves in, and we'll tell you whatever you want…"

"If you can guarantee us protection."


Softly shaded blue eyes shimmered, staring intensely into the ocean of ceruleans.

Trust.

Such a strong word.

One that should not be used in many circumstances where it is not applicable.

How often have people had their feelings mildly stressed by another's actions and claimed to be hurt and betrayed? Then, to simply go on about their day forgiving the betrayer?

She had been betrayed so many times.

By that very man who had arrived here.

By her mother…

Her brother…

Even her sister left her, although she didn't blame her…

Weiss would have done the same. She did the exact moment she had the power to do so.

She struggled to trust others.

It took so long to trust her teammates.

Yang was the first she trusted if she was truthful. Loudmouth as she was, she was honest, forthright, and could back up her cocky attitude.

She could respect it as she knew what to expect. She was easier to deal with despite her abrasiveness. However, her and Blake's subtle jabs did seem to be taking root, and she was making changes…

Ruby took a little longer… For she found her team leader incredibly annoying.

She was… She thought she was an idiot. It was why she called her a dolt.

While she had long since proven that she wasn't, it took some effort to gain her trust after their horrible first meeting. She mainly had gotten the wrong impression…

Although the sisters were dolts, they were geniuses in their own respects and by no means dumb…

But they sure could be fools…

And finally, there was Blake…

It took forever for her to trust her, despite initially being the first to earn her trust.

The moment she learned she was a Faunus, she felt so betrayed.

While she said all the right things to her to have her come back to the team, not have her run off with Sun, having a Faunus on her team? After everything she had been through?

Hurt so much?

And while she understood so much more…

The pain still existed. It was there…

And the White Fang and the Faunus were a root cause of it.

But so was her father.

Blake wasn't at fault for any of it. And while she hid who she was, it was for legitimate reasons. She couldn't blame her for them…

Weiss was finally able to forgive her then…

Just as Blake did not hold her responsible for her father's actions.

Now, here was this new person that she only knew for a short period of time…

Who helped save Beacon and Vale from disaster.

Someone she only had a few conversations with, yet strangely left an imprint with each one?

Witnessed the miracle he performed to heal Yang…

He had already accidentally kept this team together several times since his arrival. Whether he knew it or not, he was the reason team RWBY was here together today. Why they all got to enjoy a meal with him…

Why Yang had been hitting on him all afternoon…

Now, here he was, asking for her to trust in him?

With her father looming just in the distance?

Icy blue eyes glinted.

Weiss swallowed deeply, accepting his hand.

"Yes."


He could feel Weiss' tension as they made their way to the front of the dorm and toward the commotion

He could feel Ruby's apprehension, her silver eyes gleaming with confusion and worry. Confusion at seeing the amount of Atleasian Knights, or so he was told what they called, in front of their dorm. Worry at seeing her friend panic and sink into a dark depression.

Yang couldn't contain her confusion, voicing her concern vocally. "Okay, Weiss, what is going on here? Blake? Are you okay?"

Hearing a rumbling growl in her throat, Naruto noticed the daggers Blake was staring at the man. Her bow bristled, and her eyes dilated, her eyes shifting between him and Weiss, receiving the confirmation she needed. Her posture was almost threatening toward him and protective of Weiss…

There seemed to be a history between them. He would ask about that later.

Naruto knew there was a story there…

As they stepped within glance, he almost winced at the withering glance he received from Glynda.

He could see her annoyance with the dapper man and the situation at large. Her expression was livid as she crossed her arms, and her eyes darted in their direction as they strolled upon the scene.

She didn't want them here.

The dapper man, surrounded by mechanical drones, held a superior air to him. The condescending glint in his eyes as he gleamed over everyone present.

Especially toward them as they arrived, his vision singling out Weiss in particular. "Ah, there you are! Enough of this foolishness, my dear! If you had only listened from the beginning and stayed home, this would not have been an issue!"

Naruto repressed a scowl at the tone the man took with Weiss.

Seeing her flinch and scowl. The gnashing of her teeth and the bitter resentment in her gaze, yet struggle to meet his gaze…

Naruto was feeling a little on Blake's side. It did seem like she had a feral side to her…

He knew this kind of person well, and he despised them. He was reminiscent of the Fire Daimyo and Madam Shijimi but far more put together than either.

That smug, arrogant, socialite attitude to him.

A Wealthy Elitist.

Naruto wanted nothing more than to put the man in his place.

Least he had a place to start with to interrupt whatever this was.

"Mah, these things are currently banned after the attack, ya know?" Naruto motioned, waving his hand at all the Knights. "Heard with all the fancy tech all whatnot being hacked, they didn't want to take a chance. Not so sure why you are acting tough with the stuff around when they can turn on ya so easily. Even that tech dude has disabled all without complaint."

His eyes fluttered for a mere moment, his bravado wavering, before it returned with a simple scoff and slight wave of his hand. "Poppycock! I simply pay the fine for such a troublesome expense! Being unguarded, here, of all places? My word, I would never!"

"Are you calling my students and myself inadequate?" Glynda's voice quivered threateningly, causing the man to stiffen. "Jacq, make no mistake, what happened here would have happened in any Kingdom. It was calculated and coordinated. Atlas would not have been any safer, and given how you pride yourself on your technology… The city could have fallen. "

Glynda purposely let those words sink in before taking a more measured tone, seeing the man known as Jacq now had her undivided attention. "This is a Vale law. Even your general is following it. Now, deactivate them if you don't mind. I'll have James return your property to you when he returns to Atlas."

Gnashing his teeth, seeming almost unwilling to cave to her demands, Jacq scowled as he with his scroll. With a simple swipe and tap, the Knights twitched and slumped over.

He sighed, his sharp eyes seething as he glanced over at Glynda. But briefly, the foulest glint was sent in Naruto's direction.

And Naruto only felt a slight pang of satisfaction.

One point.

"Fine, I'll make this quick then. I don't want to be here any longer than I have to be." Jacques bitterly snapped, his scathing gaze shifting to Glynda and focusing solely on Weiss. "Ignorant of my calls and messages as you may be, my dear, come. We shant daly here any longer. If you wish to continue these foolish ambitions, we will discuss them later in much safer confines."

"What? No! I refuse!" Weiss responded frantically, finally gritting the resolve and bearing the brunt of her father's gaze with her own. "I made my decision when I first left in the fall last year, and it has not changed! I wish to stay and continue my training here despite what has happened!"

"That is no longer on the table, Weiss. Circumstances have changed." Jacq snorted, glancing down at his daughter. "Whether or not Ms. Goodwitch likes to admit it, this Kingdom and Academy are no longer considered the pinnacle safe havens and premier learning facilities they once were. What happened here was broadcast for the whole world to see. No one sees Vale or Beacon as the rays of hope and light to lead the way anymore. Isn't that right, Glynda?"

Glynda snarled under her breath yet bit her tongue. She refused to take the bait. Yet no answer was worse, and she knew it…

"A beacon of hope remains. Ready to be shown to the world as they stand strong and united after the attacks, resilient and determined." Naruto's voice resonated, his eyes shining brilliantly as he drew Jacq's attention toward him. "The Kingdom is still standing, and the Academy's teachers and students are leading the charge."

"They may be miserable, downtrodden, and beaten down. Tired, worried, and anxious. But everyone is working together, helping each other, and doing what they can to make life as normal as possible after what happened. A shining example to the world, wouldn't ya say?" Naruto ended his point deliberately, carefully watching Weiss out of the corner of his eye.

Jacques' mustache twitched with mild amusement before scoffing at the delay. He hadn't the time for a philosophy debate, especially with one such as this boy. Even if he had a bit of tongue on him…

He could crush him later.

"Precisely!" His eyes narrowed, hearing his daughter's voice, focusing toward her, seeing the light within her eyes brighten further.

He repressed a snarl that he wanted to express at seeing her like this.

Did she buy this dribble? What did this place do to her?

Oh, he would have to retrain the girl!

Or perhaps, now was the time for her brother…

"I learned and experienced so much in my time here." Weiss began to speak, her speech slowly growing in volume as she stood proudly with her friends. "I've learned to accept my limitations. Learn to trust and work with others. Accept differences, even annoying people. I've had experiences that have changed my outlook and disposition!"

"Why did I feel singled out when you said annoying people?" Ruby questioned, squinting her gaze toward Weiss but smiling widely.

"You were, Ruby!" Yang bit back a laugh at her sister while she glared at her, while Blake rolled her eyes.

"It was both of you. It is why you are both dolts or idiots. " Blake cleared the air with a mutter, causing Yang to choke on her spit and Ruby to laugh, vindicated.

Weiss repressed her smile as her eyes passed by Blake, crossing Naruto briefly. She gained strength seeing his reassuring smile before returning to her father, regaining her confident demeanor as she stood poised with them at her side. "I've learned so much here. I cannot leave, father. This is where I belong."

Her world shattered, seeing his lips curl into a smug grin. He huffed a confident retort in response, seemingly bemused at her response. "Oh, is that so?"

His immediate tone caused flags to rise for Naruto. Weiss' flickering eyes. Her shaking head.

This was not going to end well…

Glancing back behind him, he scowled. He didn't want to have to use this…

"You really are like your sister. Dear me, whatever shall I do." Jacq sighed in whelmed defeat, waving his hands exasperatedly. "Two baby birds leaving the nest, leaving your dear mother sick and worried. Guess that leaves your brother now. Whatever would happen to her if something were to happen to him?"

"No…" Weiss shook, terrified at where her father was directing the conversation. "You wouldn't?"

"Weiss?" Yang reached out to her friend's shoulder, attempting to comfort her. "Why does this feel like this has gone south suddenly…"

"I've done it once before, haven't I, dear?" Jacq responded earnestly, causing Weiss to depress and hang limply, the light fading from her eyes.

"Weiss?" Ruby grabbed her friend's arm, pulling her back as she started to walk forward absently. "Weiss! What are you doing? Weiss?"

"I'm sorry…" Weiss muttered under her breath, glancing over to her friends before looking up at her father, slowly marching toward him. "I'll come home… I apologize for the trouble I caused you."

"Weiss!" Blake cried, jumping between her friend and Jacq, a yowl echoing from her lips. "You are sick… Do you not have a caring bone in your body? This is your daughter, you monster!"

"Those eyes…" Jacq pursed his lips, his eyes tinted with intrigue. "Would you, by chance, be a Belladonna, girl?"

"I am!" Blake bellowed thunderously, proudly designating who she was to him.

"Oh, the cosmic irony." Jacq droned, rolling his eyes, now officially annoyed. "First, your father and his pathetic organization caused me so many problems over the years. Costing me so much financial woe…"

"Because your business practices are barbaric! The bottom line does not equate success! Nicholas understood that!" Blake viciously retorted, spitting at the ground while Weiss' eyes shone briefly at the mention of that name. "That's why he worked the mines with…"

"Don't you dare mention that failure's name!" Jacq snapped before turning his head and haughtily. "That man couldn't make a dime until I took over the business side for him. A people's person he was, but a businessman he was not, and his family was in shambles for it. I turned the SDC into what it is today…"

"And Remnant is worse off for it!" Blake yowled as Yang joined her side, Ruby attempting to lead Weiss away.

"You tell him!"

"Enough of this tripe!" Jacques fed up with the diatribe, turned his ire back onto Weiss and scowled, motioning toward the limo. "Weiss, we're leaving. I tire of this. I'm sure your mother would love to hear of all you have done. And well, your brother…"

Without a word, despite cringing at hearing about her brother, Weiss slowly slipped from Ruby's grasp, walking toward her father again. "Weiss? Hey! I thought…"

"Do you trust me?"

Those words snapped Weiss out of her trance. She looked up and into an ocean of blue eyes.

An outstretched hand was held forth toward her once again.

A confident smile.

Such a strong word for someone she hardly knew…

But…

She accepted his hand…

"Yes."

An awkward moment passed after Weiss accepted his hand.

Nothing happened. He did nothing. She did nothing.

They just stood there.

Awkwardly holding hands.

"Weiss!" Jacques snapped, annoyed at the further delay, as he had a servant open the limo door for him. "We are leaving, and that is final. Come."

"Yes. Coming father." Weiss responded, causing several heads to snap back as she released Naruto's hand, heading towards the limo with a prolonged, deliberate stroll, emulating a defeated posture as he entered.

"What the…" Yang called out what she saw and wanted confirmation as she looked around. "Am I hearing things or…"

"Yang…" Naruto whispered loud enough for the others to hear, glancing over at them. "Need you to play along here…"

"Oh!" Ruby's eyes flickered in realization, a devious glimmer coming over her face before her expression changed, and she tried to stop Weiss. "Weiss! Weiss!"

"Dammit! Weiss! Think about this!" Blake added in dismay, standing at Weiss' side as she stood at Weiss' side as she was about to enter the limo. "Think about everything we went through! What you told me! Please don't leave us! You are doing exactly what I was doing! You are just trying to escape! We can help!"

"I know… I'm so sorry." Weiss closed her eyes, hanging her head as she slid in.

"About time!" Jacq sneered as Weiss looked away and began to rant as the door closed. "We are going to have a serious talk when we get…"

His words were muffled as the door closed by the servant closing it and heading toward the driver's door. They all stood by, watching aimlessly as they drove away, eyes following the limo as it faded on the road until it vanished.

Then, all eyes drifted to Naruto expectantly.

"What was that?" Yang blinked and poked Naruto, expecting Weiss to fall out of him at any given moment, surprised she hadn't shown up already. "That was not Weiss. The fact that he was fooled by it all…"

"You do realize you just let go of one of the prisoners that you brought back." Glynda's eyes glinted with disapproval, her arms crossed as she looked back at him. "You do realize they are working with her, which, by proxy, means…"

"Ah, ah… I let one of my informants go." Naruto interrupted, tilting his head and grinning before giving a reproachful expression. "But I don't think you have much to worry about. She's coming back. She asked for protection. Does that sound like someone that is working with the enemy? Or does that sound like someone who is trying to get away from them?"

Glynda scoffed and shook her head but glared daggers straight into his eyes. "Do as you will. But if they hurt them… I will come after you."

"Fair enough…" Naruto shrunk back, taking her words to heart.

Whether or not she could do it did not matter. He learned well from his master.

Never scorn a woman less earn thy wrath!

"Brought her, boss!" A new voice echoed, and everyone's attention was drawn to it.

Only for Ruby to narrow her eyes at one figure walking toward them and widen at the other running.

"Oh, we're gonna be in so much trouble…" Weiss panted and hugged Ruby before moving to embrace Blake and then Yang. "The moment he finds out, he will storm right back here…"

"Yeah, trouble…" Ruby muttered, her eyes focused on the immediate threat of the silver-haired intruder and ready to dial up her locker to summon Crescent Rose to her side.

"Hey, not here to fight Red!" Mercury held up his hands passively before poking a thumb over at Naruto. "You can say we're on the same team now. The big guy over there offered a deal to us that we couldn't refuse… Even if I couldn't believe it. Em took him up on it, and, well, I go where she goes."

"What?" Ruby's eyes flickered before her head snapped toward Naruto. "Naruto! He… They…"

"Hey, I get it." Naruto took in Ruby's ire, expecting before explaining. "But don't you think he should be given a chance? And his partner?"

"Many people were hurt by their actions!" Ruby pointed toward Mercury scathingly, her eyes seething as a glow began to shine within her eyes, a glow Mercury immediately recognized and stepped away from. "People died because of their actions! My friend… Died…"

"They will serve their time through the work they put in." Naruto simply stated. "And they will be worked. "

"But that's not fair!" Ruby exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with rage while her body trembled.

"Life is not about fairness. Life is about perseverance. To continue to keep struggling and fighting back against everything life throws at you. To stand back up and punch it in the face with a damn smile on your face, ya know!" Naruto asserted, causing Ruby to shrink back in stunned silence while everyone else looked on and gasped.

Unable to find words, she shifted her eyes back and forth between Naruto and Mercury. Her thoughts muddled, and a hollow scream left Ruby's mouth as she roared and stomped away, frustrated.

"Ruby?" Yang went to follow after her sister noticed she walked into the dorms and could hear the storming steps through the building.

"Let her be for a moment, then go to her. Think she needs a moment to sort everything out." Naruto sighed, hanging his head and running his hand through his locks. "Besides, we have a few problems to run through…"

"Like my father when he realizes that isn't me and returns here. From what Naruto said, she will likely stop the illusion just as he's returning to Atlas. When he finds out he was tricked…" Weiss grimaced as her eyes glimmered with tears. "To think he was willing to disavow me to ensure I would come home…"

"We didn't ensure anything by the bait-and-switch. Hopefully, he doesn't take that as a sign that you weren't willing to come home and a sign that more nefarious methods were used. So we're gonna need to confiscate your scroll…" Naruto gnashed his teeth before his gaze turned to Mercury. "If he is gonna believe it…"

"Oh, let me play that role." Mercury broadly smirked, cracking his knuckles, his eyes glittered with glee. "You said make me work! Nah, you are giving me something I want to do!"

"GAH!"

"Can hear Ruby from down here…" Yang winced at the volume of her sister's voice before sighing. "While that's all good, that doesn't solve the problem. If he comes back here…"

"I'll handle him. You need to be gone." Glynda spoke, garnering attention. "Your team and team JNPR are among the few remaining teams on campus since the evacuation. We don't plan on opening Beacon for this semester given what happened and will allow students a year of transfer to other Academies or outside studies."

"Right, that's why you've suggested everyone leave campus on evacuation day. It wasn't recommended to come back." Yang placed her hand on her hip. "The only reason we haven't was because Weiss didn't want to go home, what happened to Ruby, and well, Naruto here. Wait… Why is Blake here? Didn't you want to go home? Just now, it sound…"

"Uh… Let's not bring that up." Blake's bow twitched, and her eyes shifted toward Naruto, remembering he had caught her and brought her back to the evacuation site. "I'm here because…"

"What an excellent idea, Yang." Glynda's voice sounded amused, drawing horrified golden eyes to her. "You should go home, Blake. Take all of your friends with you."

Golden eyes flickered and dilated in terror at the mere suggestion.

The horror and realization she was powerless to stop the engine that was started as all eyes laid upon her expectantly.

She had to bring all these people she cared for home to her mother?!

…along with a few others…

To her father?

This was going to be the worst day of her life!


Here we are at the end of another chapter. I hope those of you that already haven't seen this chapter enjoyed. Engagement of any kind is much appreciated, but I get it! We're all busy and sometimes saying something is difficult! But knowing you are enjoying it and leaving any form of interaction helps more than you know.

It keeps me so warm in these cold months... AND I'M FREEZING HERE!

So without anything else to say...

Peace out my friends.